The Adventist Church in Northern Davao (NDM) in the Philippines recently bore witness to a remarkable event: the baptism of 1,226 new members of the Adventist church. From March 17 to 23, lay-led evangelistic meetings unfolded across 82 venues amidst the picturesque landscapes of the region, attracting individuals from bustling cities to remote villages.
Pastor Rudi Situmorang, the Ministerial Secretary of the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific, purposed to spread the message of faith and community in this unique territory. The leadership of NDM, along with officers, departmental directors, support staff, pastors, elders, deacons, deaconesses, and care group teams, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the gatherings, embodying the spirit of Total Member Involvement (TMI).
Situmorang stressed, "The success of this initiative depends on the collaborative efforts of every member of the church actively engaging in sharing the gospel in this region." He further elaborated, "Total Member Involvement unites every ministry, service, individual, and character toward the singular purpose of spreading His word to the entire world."
Pastor Rene Rosa, Vice President for Nurture Disciple Retention (NDR) - Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle (IEL), and Pastor Rey Dela Cruz, Ministerial Secretary, both from the Adventist Church in the Southeastern Philippines, shared their insights and expressed profound inspiration from the collective effort. “Not only did our visit encourage our brethren for their work, but also we, the ministers, who are doing these caravan rounds, have also been inspired because we have seen the fulfillment of the work,” remarked Pastor Rosa.
The week-long sessions culminated in the baptism of 1,226 people at 11 chosen locations, greatly rousing hearts and inspiring attendees. The baptism of over a thousand souls stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and underscores the promise of redemption and everlasting life. Amidst the vibrant landscapes and the majestic beauty of creation, a divine calling echoed, leaving an indelible mark on the souls of those who gathered under the embrace of God’s love.
Northern Davao Mission